Great Britain. Army. Royal Tank Corps; Tanks (Military science)
“Before the Battle Practice begins, Crews and Gunners will form up
outside the Tanks and the scheme of attack will be explained to
them; also how it is intended to carry out the attack and what are
their objectives. All drivers and gunners must fully understand the
scheme of attack and what is expected of them; they must be told to
ask their Tank Commander to explain any point that does not appear
clear to them. Positions where Anti-Tank guns are expected must be
pointed out to them on a map, and other information of this type
may be given. This will add to the keenness and interest of the men.
“Drivers must be reminded that the goodness or badness of the
shooting will probably depend upon their driving.
“The Gunnery Officer must see that the targets are sited properly;
he should always go over the Course in a Tank previous to the
practice to satisfy himself on these points.
“If flashes are to be used, or moving targets employed, he must
see that the fatigue men know their work, and the Gunnery Officer
should always give these fatigue men one rehearsal before a Battle
Practice Course, as it is most important for everything to go
smoothly on the day.
“N.C.O. Instructors must be told off, one to each gun in the Tank
which is firing, and their duty will be to see that points taught
in the elementary training are brought into play and that the
necessary safety precautions are adhered to.
“There will always be a conference at the end of each Battle
Practice exercise. All members of the crews, students, instructors,
etc., will attend. Constructive criticism and encouragement should
be the tone of the conference. Faults brought to light should be
carefully explained so that all can hear, learn and correct, in
the future. The Gunner is as anxious to learn and to improve his
shooting as is the Instructor to have a pupil who will do him
credit.”
Very excellent courses were also arranged in the Reconnaissance
Schools. But almost the most interesting of the Reconnaissance Side’s
activities was the series of improvised courses--outdoor schemes,
indoor practices and lectures which they arranged during the weary time
while the Tank Corps “stood to quarters” through January, February and
early March 1918.
The events of this time we propose to chronicle in the next chapter but
one.
There had by this time been many other Tank activities which we have
not at present chronicled at all. The French had trained and equipped a
Tank Corps. The Americans were busy with Tanks, and a Detachment of our
own Corps had fought in two engagements in Palestine.
_Note to Chapter XI_
Stories of the early days of Wool are related in the 6th Battalion
History.
When the first few consignments of Tanks were sent to the Camp at
Bovington from Wool Station the most elaborate precautions were taken
to secure the machines from the eyes of the profane.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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